Best Buy to start selling iPad 2 after 5 pm on March, 11th

March 11th is a special day
for every Apple fan out there, but if you have hoped that you can get
the iPad 2 earlier than Friday evening (5pm local time at
Apple Stores nationwide), you'll be disappointed to find out that
Best Buy - quite expectedly - will also start selling the next-gen
tablet after 5pm on Friday. The reason behind this is reportedly a
contractual agreement with Apple. Other retail chains like Wal-Mart,
Sam's Club and most recently Target are expected to also have the
iPad 2 and judging from the Best Buy agreement, they will start
selling the tablet after 5pm on Friday.

Has Apple ever done this before? Our
memory reminds us of the late launch of the first generation of the
iPhone, which went on sale at 6pm with Apple Stores closing for 2
hours to prepare for the launch. The same goes for the 3G version of
the original iPad which was also launched at 5pm on a Friday. If
Apple repeats the same scenario, that would mean that Apple Stores
will close for a couple of hours prior to the big launch.

Unlike the original iPad, the second
generation of the slate wasn't made available for pre-order. That all
points to an even bigger crowd gathering in front of locations
selling the iPad 2 and more hype generated. The reason behind
the late hour launch? Speculations range from an overwhelming demand
that Apple expects to result in shortages all the way to a specific
hour picked so that employees don't miss work. What do you think
about the 5pm launch? Let us know in the comments below.

8 Comments

Display mode:

No preorders equals bigger lines and the appearance of it being more popular than it really is. Nice move of desperation. In other words, there isn't going to be any real shortage, so apple has to get the most bang for the buck out of their imposed shortages by stretching out as long as they can. What a pathetic stunt. More signs it's not going to sell like they hoped.

4.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

Yeah, plus at this point, Apple doesn't have to really fake demand. We can pretty much assume people will camp out or show up super early to get their hands on an iPad 2. I want an iPad, but not bad enought that I am going to camp out. If the Apple store runs out, then I'll order online for free and just have it shipped. No biggie...

2.becazican (unregistered)

i agree with above, they just want it to look like lots of people are demanding it. I do want one but will not wait on line for one , i will order it on line, if they run out i will just wait for the xoom wi fi to come out in early april.

The difference between iPad 1 and iPad 2 is that there are more partners who will be selling the iPad 2 on launch day. IMO, the 5 p.m. availability time is more of a marketing gimmick. I really doubt there will anywhere like the lines that were present on the iPad1 launch. Maybe in a few isolated places, but in places where there is the full complement of partners selling the iPad 2, the lines just won't be as long. And more iPad 2s will be sold on launch day than were sold on the WiFi and 3G iPad 1 launch days combined.

Regarding JeffdaBeat's strategy for getting an iPad 2, that is mine as well. Although I might try the AT&T store, since I will be transferring my unlimited data plan on the iPad 1 to the iPad 2.

8.PCS524 (unregistered)

I had the unfortunate experience of trying to buy my new iPad 2 at Best Buy in Centennial Colorado today. According to the GM, it was the only location to to receive their shipment. The first 70 or so people ( me included) just revived paper vouchers to get one tomorrow if the order comes in.

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